Pinoy UN peacekeeper wants Coco Martin to play his role

MANILA, Philippines - If leading his men through the mine field in the dead of night to escape al-Qaeda-linked Syrian rebels in the Golan Heights would be made into a movie, United Nations peacekeeping contingent leader Capt. Nilo Ramones wants Coco Martin to play his role.

Ramones guided his men to safety after almost three days of standoff, highlighted by seven hours of intense fighting with the rebels last Saturday.

He said he also wants actress Angel Locsin to act as his wife Marchie Mae in the true-to-life movie.

Ramones, commander of the besieged all-Filipino UN peacekeeping platoon at position 68, an area in the boundary of Israel and Syria, made his idea known before his senior military commanders, led by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang during a teleconference at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday noon.

The 31-year-old Army captain was asked by Catapang who among the country’s actors he wanted to play him if their great escape would be made into a movie.

Catapang himself raised the possibility of the Filipino heroic acts at position 68 in Golan Heights being made into a film.

He praised Ramones and his men for showing to the world the best in the Filipino soldier in the midst of a life-threatening situation.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2006, Ramones, former Bravo company commander of the 80th Infantry Battalion adjudged as best battalion of the 2nd Infantry Division based in Tanay, Rizal, hails from Barangay Taluya, Glan, Sarangani.

He told Catapang and his audience, including media, that they staged their “great escape” while the rebels were asleep.

“We were already at the safe area. The troops were resting while the others were happily communicating with their families,” Ramones told Catapang, who asked if he and his men had felt tired exchanging fire with the rebels for seven hours, to which he replied “No.”

Ramones led the 40-man Filipino peacekeepers holed up at position 68, surrounded by rebels demanding the surrender of their firearms.

Instead of surrendering their weapons, Ramones and his men manned the fort and prepared to defend themselves if attacked.

Rebels using anti-aircraft guns mounted on three trucks later assaulted the Filipino soldiers.

Before the fighting started last Saturday, Ramones said they were already hatching a plot to escape, and when they monitored the rebels asleep at 11 p.m., they left camp and headed towards the west side facing Israel.

After 90 minutes, he and his men reached the safe area where fellow Filipino UN peacekeepers were waiting.

Catapang congratulated Ramones’ team, saying a video message would be sent to them.

“We, the media, and the entire Filipino people are glad and grateful that you’re all safe,” Catapang told Ramones.